According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's long-awaited smart home hub will be called the "Home View" and will debut during the company's "Welcome home" event. The device serves as a Siri command center for Apple-powered smart homes and is expected to pair with other upcoming hardware like a refreshed Home Pod mini and a new Apple TV set-top box with the A19 chip. Gurman explained that the "View" in the name indicates the device is a display primarily controlled through Siri and voice commands rather than a tablet-like experience. The Home View will launch in two models: a countertop version with a metal speaker base available in space gray, silver, starlight and pink, and a wall-mounted model limited to space gray and silver. Unlike other Apple hardware, the Home View will only support a limited selection of Apple apps and will not have access to the App Store, pushing users toward third-party accessories that connect via Siri, the Home app or Apple devices. Apple has partnered with LG to develop several smart home devices, including doorbells, thermostats and outdoor security cameras, all under the "Apple Home Collection." Additionally, Apple is working with Schneider Electric SE for European smart home products.
The revamped Home Pod mini featuring the S10 chip and the new Apple TV are expected to begin shipping and appear in Apple stores on October 30. The Home View will follow in mid-November, with LG's third-party products arriving later, potentially shipping later this year at the earliest.
Gurman noted that Apple's focus on third-party integrations reflects a strategy to expand the Home View's capabilities beyond Apple's own limited app selection.
The device is positioned as a central hub that relies heavily on voice interaction and Siri connectivity.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing